The Cannibal Man – original title: La Semana del asesino “The Week of the Killer” – is a 1972 Spanish horror feature film, directed by Eloy de la Iglesia from a screenplay co-written with Antonio Fos. It was also released as Apartment on the 13th Floor
Plot:
After accidentally killing a taxicab driver, Marcos (Vicente Parra), a young man who works as a butcher, wants to cover up his crime. Marcos’s girlfriend, the only witness, wishes to go to the police, so he strangles her.
Marcos finds himself killing others, including members of his family, as they become suspicious of his actions, butchering his victims’ remains at his workplace in order to dispose of the bodies.
Despite its US Hallmark Releasing title, the film contains no scenes of cannibalism, although it did get caught up in the British video nasties furore via its uncut Intervision VHS release.
Reviews [click links to read more]:
“Despite its dark subject matter and unsympathetic killer The Cannibal Man is a captivating story which only gets better with each new viewing!” 10k Bullets
“While Cannibal Man certainly doesn’t skimp on the red stuff, it’s ultimately not as graphic as the late ’70s splatter epics and quite different from the flamboyant bloodletting of Italian thrillers around the same time. The fetid atmosphere of decay and frustration is overpowering, with the most horrific use of a single apartment since Roman Polanski’s Repulsion.” Mondo Digital
“There are no natives munching on bloody meat chunks, and there are no naked women who strut around eating bananas and oranges. As a matter of fact, it’s not a film about cannibalism, and the correct translation of the original Spanish title is The Week of the Killer. It’s actually more like a psychological thriller. But don’t panic! It is a fantastic film.” Rare Cult Cinema
